Lions and Tigers and Felonies, Oh My! by Shannon Edmonds Texas District and County Attorneys Association 2016 TPPF Policy Orientation
Three Points in 10 Minutes 1) The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. 2) If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? 3) The honeymoon is over.
The Basic Premise • “The average professional in this country wakes up in the morning, goes to work, comes home, eats dinner, and then goes to sleep, unaware the he or she has likely committed several federal crimes that day.”
… or Not So Much • “The ‘three felonies a day’ is really a figure of speech.” – Author Harvey Silverglate, Nov. 14, 2012
Ends > Means
Ends > Means
Candidate Barack Obama (2007, NAACP forum): “We have more work to do when more young black men languish in prison than attend colleges and universities across America.�
Ends > Means
Ends > Means
Ends > Means
Why Do People Do This?
Why Do People Do This? 1) Does it needlessly complicate the law? 2) Is there a nonlegislative solution? 3) Any unintended consequences? 4) Prison capacity impact? 5) Financial impact to local governments?
60
Crimes Created by #TxLege 53
50
50
49 40
38
40
31
30
20
New Crimes
23
10
0 2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
Is It a Problem in Texas? 1994 ~160 crimes 2016 225+ crimes
Is It a Problem in Texas? • There are over 1500 crimes found in other non-Penal codes, incl’g: – Business & Commerce Code (~50) – Finance Code (~40) – Occupations Code (~175) www.tdcaa.com/publications
Is It a Problem in Texas?
For Whom Is It a Problem?
For Whom Is It a Problem?
What’s the Solution?
The Honeymoon Is Over
True Dat, J.P.
Why Federal Reform Is Stalled
RIGHT
LEFT
The End
Presented by Shannon Edmonds Texas District and County Attorneys Association 2016 TPPF Policy Orientation